Menu

Magic Monday

MAKE

PRODUCE

PERFORM

“Freedom and making the time”

“Accomplishment and purpose”

“Taking a different view on things in everyday life”

MAKE Monday magic by being easy. Set low expectations, which can easily be met and possibly exceeded. Make a to-do list of chores that don’t fit into other projects, but are the kind of things which are quick to accomplish. Boost your ego and clear your mind of all the clutter. Your brain will give you a shot of happy juice for all the ticked boxes or what you PRODUCE. It is not important to discern between an easy task or a difficult task, only completion counts.

One inherent problem with goal setting is related to how the brain works. Recent neuroscience research shows the brain works in a protective way, resistant to change. Therefore, any goals that require substantial behavioral change, or thinking-pattern change, will automatically be resisted. The brain is wired to seek rewards and avoid pain or discomfort, including fear. When fear of failure creeps into the mind of the goal setter, it becomes a “demotivator,” with a desire to return to known, comfortable behavior and thought patterns.

Maybe one of the reasons the start of the week, or the specific day of Monday has such a bad rap is that most goals are very hard to achieve. Particularly the kind of goals which tend to be set for us at work. The stretch goals or big hairy audacious goals. These extreme goals more often have the opposite effect than what was intended. Instead of motivating people towards greatness, because they are so difficult to reach, most people give up. Do not do that to yourself, ever, but for sure not on a Monday.

Instead, incorporate a few treats into your routine on Monday that are guaranteed mood lifters. Whatever that might be, PERFORM these rituals with intention and care. Maybe prepare a new breakfast recipe. Take a break to read a great book. Go for a walk. Listen to a podcast. Call or meet a friend. Anything that is a twist on the everyday routine. Be kind to everyone, including yourself.

“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”– M. Scott Peck

I have switched my big weekly grocery shop to Monday. It is a super easy task, which better satisfies my soul on Monday than anytime on the weekend. Why do all the chores during the hours when it is so much more fun to be doing stuff with family and friends? While I am at it, I’ve also started to cook up a bunch of meals on Monday, to last the week. Again, this is really easy to do – chopping, stirring and cooking. Then every other night of the week is covered, including Friday which is my nemesis dinner night.

Instead of falling into the self fulfilling prophecy trap of Monday’s being the most terrible of the week, take charge and Monday into something magical. Even if you could only make one small change, what would it be? Each week, add on one more little thing. After a couple of months, you will have a different life. I also think if Monday gets the week going well, everything gets a lift.

Daily Creatives can be found in these places:

Creative Wandering

Christine Westermark

Long term travel has taught me to be grateful, which is the opposite of fear. I have also learned that it is possible to be free from the epidemic of stress. Join me to design a lifestyle that you don’t need to take a vacation from! Sign up for daily creatives news to get started. Fill out the form on the left side of your screen and welcome to our tribe!